Paying the price of smoking

Every year more than £40 million is spent by the NHS in Greater Manchester dealing with smoking related illnesses.

31 May is World 'No Tobacco Day' and health chiefs are urging businesses and organisations to gear up for the new smoke-free legislation which comes into force on 1 July.

Will Blandamer, director for health improvement for the Association of Greater Manchester Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), has joined forces with Brenda Fullard, regional senior public health specialist, to drive the message home.

Statistics revealed by the Smokefree Greater Manchester campaign show that in 2003-04, 31,000 smokers required hospital treatment in Greater Manchester. They took up almost 93,000 bed days in the city’s hospitals and cost the NHS of more than £37m.

The cost of providing outpatient and follow-up appointments for smokers with related diseases is thought to be £4.6m.

Mr Blandamer said: “The July 1 legislation marks a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve the health of everyone and to make a step change in quality of life for thousands of people.”

The North-West has the highest number of smokers in England — accounting for about 1.5 million of the population. More than 3,000 people in the region die each year before the age of 64 because of diseases caused by smoking.

A recent analysis presented at a conference of the Royal College of Physicians calculates that at least 700 premature deaths are caused each year in the UK from second-hand smoke at work.

Ms Fullard said: “It’s vital that businesses across the region are prepared for the changes coming.”

For the latest information on smoke free regulations, what businesses are legally required to do before July 1 and no-smoking signs visit www.smokefreeengland.co.uk